The origin of workplace bullying: experiences from the perspective of bully victims in the public service sector
| Autor: | K. Margaretha Strandmark, Lillemor R.-M. Hallberg |
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| Rok vydání: | 2007 |
| Předmět: |
Workplace bullying
Adult Male Social Work Adolescent Leadership and Management Allied Health Personnel Nurses Grounded theory Power (social and political) Interpersonal relationship Leadership style Humans Interpersonal Relations Social Behavior Workplace Crime Victims Aged Public Sector Social work business.industry Public sector Middle Aged Faculty Police Workforce Public service Female Power Psychological business Psychology Clergy Social psychology |
| Zdroj: | Journal of nursing management. 15(3) |
| ISSN: | 0966-0429 |
| Popis: | Background Workplace bullying has attracted increased attention during the last decade due to its severe consequences on health. However, the origin of bullying has, so far, been insufficiently described. Aim This study investigates the manner in which bullying is initiated at workplaces in the public service sector. Method Twenty-two bully victims were interviewed in-depth and data were analysed according to grounded theory methodology. Results The findings of this study demonstrated that bullying was preceded by a long-standing struggle for power. This power struggle emanated from conflicts of values caused by organizational conditions, leadership styles and the involved parties’ work expectations. In particular, individuals who perceived themselves as strong and competent or as vulnerable and sensitive persons were targeted in these types of power struggles. Conclusions In these cases, if values conflicts were solved, the power struggle ebbed. When values conflicts remained unsolved, the gap widened between the targeted individual and that person's opponents. Thereby, the conflict escalated and grew into one characterized by systematic and persistent bullying. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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